Chief Joseph Quotes

The language of truth is unadorned and always simple.

The words of truth are simple.

I don't want to be mysterious.

When somebody asks me a question, I try to be as straightforward about it as possible. I try not to overthink what I'm going to say in an interview.

I enjoy people who aren't afraid to say what they mean. It makes life so much easier!

Keep it simple. Tell the truth. People can smell the truth.

I speak as simply as possible because the issue is too great to be obscured by eloquence.

Sugarcoating doesn't do anybody any good.

Simple is the speech of truth.

I'm trying to speak--to write-the truth. I"m trying to be clear. I'm not interested in being fancy, or even original. Clarity and truth will be plenty, if I can only achieve them.

You can't say you want things to be simple and then in the next breath ask me to be honest.

Honesty needs no disguise nor ornament; be plain.

I call a fig a fig, a spade a spade.

I don't believe in putting on airs. I call it like I see it.

I don't like to not call a spade a spade.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I like to say it like it is.

What this means is that we shouldn't abbreviate the truth but rather get a new method of presentation.

Well, if I am not vulgar, neither is my book. I wrote myself. Suggestiveness is always vulgar. But truth never. My book is not even remotely suggestive. I call things by their names. That is all.

I've never been a fan of euphemism.

We're not big on irony in Jamaica, sarcasm and double-talk. We tend to say things plainly, sometimes to the point of boredom.

I'm saying to you that one of the great characteristics of the great American, the American people, is our historic ability to be straightforward, plainspoken, say what we mean, and mean what we say.

I am very clear and very honest. I can say one thing, and you look at my face, and it is clear.

What you see with me is what you get. I don't have to conduct a poll to figure out what I'm going to tell somebody. I don't have to hire some consultant to come up with some cute catch phrase. I just call it like I see it.

I would describe myself as a very plain but very honest person.